Arthur Henri Poole - November 30, 1901

Our original catalogue description for this photo was "Major Tushington & party". Thanks to emmyeustace ( 59036290@N07/ ) for finding Major Stephen Lushington in another photo ( vtls000036301/Image?lookfor=http://kildarest.nli.ie/npa/pi2/pi804a.jpg ) in our catalogue, and also to mogey ( mogey/ ) for finding the Major in the 1901 census ( http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001236408/ ) (4th from bottom). He was 37 at the time, and his occupation "before enlistment or appointment" was given as Scholar.....However, still have to admit that I have not a single clue what's going on here! At first glance, it looks like a straightforward group photo, but why would the maid or nurse be included in a photo with her "betters"? I get a slightly theatrical vibe from it - were they play acting?..ofarrl ( 33577523@N08/ ) found great background on Major Lushington on a medal auction site ( http://www.dnw.co.uk/medals/auctionarchive/searchcataloguearchive/itemdetail.lasso?itemid=40830 ) :."Stephen Lushington was born in January 1864 and was educated at Eton. Commissioned into the Royal Artillery in February 1884, he was advanced to Captain in January 1893 and to Major in February 1900. In the latter rank he acted as Inspector-General of Police, and as Commandant of Militia, in British Guiana from 1902-07, services that were rewarded by his appointment to C.M.G. in the latter year...The advent of hostilities in August 1914 found Lushington serving as a Lieutenant-Colonel in 41st Brigade R.F.A., which unit he took to France and commanded at Villers-Cotteret on 1 September, when his batteries successfully covered the withdrawal of the 4th Guards Brigade, although ‘under an infernal fire’; 41st Brigade R.F.A. provided similar support to the 2nd Worcestershires at Polygon Wood at the end of the following month. Lushington was mentioned in despatches and created a C.B. (London Gazette 18 February 1915). From 1915 until 1919, he served on the R.A. Staff as a Temporary Brigadier-General and was three more times mentioned in despatches, in addition to being awarded the Italian Military Order of Savoy, 4th class..The General died at Farnham, Surrey in December 1940, aged 76 years."..Date: Saturday, 30 November 1901..NLI Ref.: P_WP_1222 ( P_WP_1222 )